Fuu gets recruited to model for the most famous ukiyo-e artist in Edo Japan, only to nearly end up being sold into slavery. Then a red-haired foreigner who may or may not be allowed to exist under Edo-period law ropes her and her buddies into a sightseeing tour of Japan. For a show that says it isn’t a period piece, Samurai Champloo is featuring some historical deep cuts.
This week on Toonami Absolution, Alyx, Jon, and Sam cover Episodes 5 and 6: \"Artistic Anarchy\" and \"Stranger Searching.\"
\"Artistic Anarchy\" opens with the trio broke and unable to afford ferry passage, scattering to find work separately. Fuu is approached by a charismatic man who identifies himself as Hishikawa Moronobu (a real historical figure and one of the most celebrated ukiyo-e painters of the Edo period, art fans!) who offers her money if she’ll model for him. She agrees. Alas, turns out that Moronobu is working for a trafficking ring and his interest in Fuu isn’t all it first seems. At the same time, Mugen and Jin each try to solve the gang’s money problems in their own unique ways.
Then \"Stranger Searching\" introduces a red-haired, blue-eyed foreigner into the mix at a time when Edo-period Japan's sakoku policy officially banned foreigners from setting foot on Japanese soil. After Mugen and Jin lose their swords in an eating contest, this man promises to retrieve them, providing they take him on a tour of the local landmarks. However, it soon turns out that this man loves Japan for a very specific reason.
We discuss what \"Artistic Anarchy\" does with its historical grounding, what \"Stranger Searching\" reveals about the show's willingness to engage with the actual political context of its setting, and how progressive Samurai Champloo is.
🔔 Subscribe for our ongoing watch-through of Samurai Champloo from the very beginning!
📌 Topics covered this episode:
– Samurai Champloo Episode 5 \"Artistic Anarchy\" recap & review
– Samurai Champloo Episode 6 \"Stranger Searching\" recap & review
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